Moulded saddles for cycles, motorcycles, scooters and the like



April 18, 1961 J. BoURGols 2,980,162

MOULDED sADDLEs FOR CYCLES, MOTOR-CYCLES, scooTERs AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 6, 1957 April 18, 1961 .1.BouRGols 2,980,162

MOULDED sADDLEs FOR CYCLES, MOTOR-CYCLES, scooTERs 2 Sheecs--Shee'cI 2 AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 6, 1957 United? MOULDED SADDLES FOR CYCLES, MOTOR- CYCLES, SCOOTERS AND THE LIKE This invention relates to saddles for cycles, motor cycles, scooters and the like.

Moulded saddles for cycles, etc., have a good appearance and a long life, but there is difficulty in attaching them to the saddle frame. The means of attachment hitherto known usually consists of metal rivets and apart from the fact that these rivets are not very attractive in appearance, the very principle of fitting them involves crushing the plastic material, and they -set up local stresses which rapidly cause tearing at the points of attachment in spite of any reinforcement which may have been provided.

A method already proposed for attaching saddles, whether moulded or not, to their frame, consists in providing a lower partition at the peak in order to form a kind of pocket which covers the forward end ofthe frame, and provides at this point a mounting which is both satisfactory and of attractive appearance. However, the means of attaching the saddleA both at the sides and the cantle,foften comprising the use of metal rivets, were not so satisfactory, and the present invention relates to the solution of this problem.

The invention is therefore applicable in general to all moulded saddles, and more particularly to those which comprise atV their forward end a pocket which encases the saddle frame.

According to the essential feature of the invention, means of attachment are moulded on to the internal face of the saddle in order to lock it to its framework.

In a first form of embodiment, catches are provided in a single plane in the vicinity of the lower edge o-f the saddle.

In other form of embodiment, these internal catches will be disposed in two superposed lhorizontal planes, and connected in pairs by the associated fastener.

According to a variant, internal studs having a locking head are moulded on to the top of the saddle, and engage in corresponding holes in the saddle framework.

Other particulars of the invention will furthermore be apparent from the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a number of embodiments of the invention. In the said drawings:

Figure l shows a longitudinal section through a moulded saddle comprising attachment means according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a partial vertical section along the line II--II of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a corresponding section along the line III- III in Figure l;

Figure 4 shows another detail of the construction;

Figure 5 shows a further longitudinal section through a second form of embodiment of the saddle according to the invention; Y

Figure 6 is a partial vertical section along the line VI-VI of Figure 5, also showing a first method of'constructing means of fastening to the frame. v

Figure 7 is a perspective illustration of another method of fastening;

States @Parent- O Patented Apr. 18, 1961 HCC Figure 8 relates to a variant in attachment, shown in perspective;

Figure 9 illustrates, also in perspective, another method of attaching the saddle to its frame;

Figure l0 is a perspective illustration of a modified saddle; Y

Figure l1 is a partial view from ybelow of a rear angle of the said saddle;

Figure 12 is a partial vertical section through the rear portion of the said saddle, also illustrating the saddlebag attached to the saddle;

Figure 13 is a further partial perspective view of another modified saddle;

Finally, Figure 14 shows a section along the line XIV--XIV in Figure 13.

In Figures l to 5, 1 designates the moulded saddle as a Whole, and 2 its metal frame or framework. A partition 3 closes the peak of the said saddle at the bottom in known manner, in order to form a pocket 4 which will cover the forward end of the frame for the purpose Y of attaching the saddle.

According to the invention, a transverse rib 5 serves both as a reinforcement band for the free edge of the partition 3 and as a cross-tie connecting the two sides of the saddle for the purpose of preventing them from deforming under load. It has been found that this cross-tie offers most effective `opposition to crushing of the saddle.

However, the invention relates chiey to the means for securing the saddle to its frame, the said means complementing the pocket 4.

.As shown in Figures 1 to 4, catches 6 directed perpendicularly to the surface which carries them are moulded on to the lower edge of the saddle 1 in such a manner as to correspond to the lower edge of the frame 2. Each catch is pierced with an aperture 7 through which can be easily engaged the hook 8.as already in general use for attaching saddles to their frame. Fig'- ure 2 shows that this hook 8 engages behind the frame 2, passes through the aperture 7 in the catch, and is then folded back as shown'in Figure 3 in order to provide secure attachment, while remaining completely invisible from outside.

Figure 4 shows how the two hooks 3 corresponding to the cantle of the saddle may furthermore conveniently be usedv to attach the rings 9 intended for suspending the usual saddle-bag.

Figures 5 to 9 relate to a variant of embodiment' wherein the catches 6 are disposed at least partially in pairs, and in two superposed horizontal planes. The two catches in each pair will conveniently be spaced `away from one another by a distance D greater than the height d of the longitudinal mem-bers 10 or the cantle 11 of the saddle frame, in order to leave the play required to allow the saddle to deform under load.

As Figure 6 clearly shows, the saddle can be attached, in a first variant of construction, by means of hooks 8 similar to those illustrated in Figures l to 4.

Figure 7 shows that the elastic clips 12, made of steel wire for example, can also be used, and may be easily and rapidly engaged with the catches by having their arms moved towards one another.

In Figure 8, a plastic fastener 13 is forced into engagement with the two catches 6 of each pair, and has at least one of its two ends shaped like an arrowhead in order to provide retaining surfaces 14 by means of which the said fasteners will be locked against one of the catches. The fasteners 13 in question naturally comprise other opposing retaining surfaces 15 at the other end.

It will `be understood that the catches 6 can be replaced by equivalent means of attachment, in all cases moulded on to the saddle. Thus, for example, Figure 9 illustrates buttons 16 replacing the catches 6, and capable of having forced into engagement with them a plastic strip 17 comprising button-holes 1S so shaped as to allow the buttons 16 to pms through, so that the Vsaid strip is then locked behind the buttons. j

Figure 10 shows that the hooks 8 and the rings 9 more particular-ly illustrated in Figure 4 can 4be replaced by lugs 20 formed on the crutch 11 itself. These lugs pass through the catches 6 in order to attach the saddle to the frame from above, and the fixing straps 21 of the saddle-bag 22 themselves pass through apertures 23 in the lugs 20, thus locking the top of the saddle in place (see Fig. 12). The saddle is thus tted without the need for using any assembly pieces.

However, in order not to complicate the shape of the crutch 11, separate plates can be used in order to form the lugs 20, and can be locked in position by means of assembly bolts 24 between the ends of the crutch 11 and the longitudinal members 10. One of these plates is illustrated by a broken line in Figure l; it can also "be replaced by an extension of the longitudinal member 19, suitably shaped for this purpose.

The lateral attachment hooks 8 can be omitted because of the formation on the edge of the top of the saddle of tabs such as 25 which lock in the corresponding catches 6 by means of a spear-head 26 after having been turned back over the longitudinal members of the saddle frame in order to make the top fast with the frame.

As shown in Figure 1l, the crutch 1-1 of the frame is extended beyond the point at which it is attached to the longitudinal members 19 in such a manner as to form a tab 27 which may engage in a corresponding recess 2S provided in the top of the saddle at the end of the cantle.

In Figure 12, corresponding apertures 30, 31 are provided in the cantle and in the crutch 11 for the passage of the xing straps 21 of the saddle-bag 22, the said straps thus exerting a locking action from above on to the frame.

As nally shown in Figures -13 and 14, the apertures 31 provided in the crutch 11 and the similar. apertures 32 provided in the longitudinal members 10 can also be used in order to allow the top 1 of the saddle to be simply clipped on by means of studs 33, 34 of the spear-headed or other suitable shape moulded on to the top of the saddle in the same manner as the catches 6.

Furthermore, in Figure lO, the peak of the saddle top i1 is held on to the frame by two catches 33 similar to catches 6 in Figure l. These two catches are connected to one another `by a hook 39 of the same kind as the hooks 8, which performs the function of the stiffening rib 5.

Such attachment can further be completed by a pierced strip 35 which passes under the saddle, and is held in place by the hook of the shell 36 to which are attached the springs or rubberv tension springs which form the elastic sheet of the saddle.

In the variant shown in Figure 13, the peak of the saddle top 1 terminates in a moulded-on re-entrant lip 37 which produces a groove into which the corresponding part of the peak of the frame is itted.

In the two embodiments which have just been decsribed, no fixing member is visible from outside, in accordance with the essential aim of the invention.

Other forms of construction, differing in certain details from those which have beenV described and illustrated here merely by way of example, can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

What l2 claim is:

l. In a saddle for a bicycle and the like, in combination, a cover of molded material having downwardly depending edge portions and a pocket portion at the forward end of said cover; substantially flat rigid band means shaped to match said edge portions of said cover and located in said cover surrounded by said edge portions, said band means having a portion located in said pocket portion; la catch member integral with said cover and spaced rearward of said pocket portion, at least a portion of said catch member projecting inwardly from said cover; a fastening member engaging said catch member to secure said cover to said band means; and substantially closed loop means surrounding a portion of said band means, at least a portion of said loop means being formed by one of said members.

Z. In a saddle for a bicycle and the like, in combination, a cover of molded material having downwardly depending edge portions and a pocket portion at the forward end of said cover; substantially at rigid band means shaped to match said edge por-tions of said cover and located in said cover surrounded by said edge portions, said band means having a portion located in said pocket portion; an attaching member integral with said cover and spaced rearward of said pocket portion adjacent the `lower edge of said cover, at least a portion of said attachlng member projecting inwardly from said cover; a fastening member cooperating with said attaching member to secure said cover to said band means; and substantially closed loop means surrounding a portion of said band means, at least a portion of said loop means being formed by one of said members.

3. In a saddle for a bicycle and the like, in combination, a cover of molded material having downwardly depending edge portions and a pocket portion at the forward end of said cover; substantially flat rigid band means shaped to match said edge portions of said cover and located in said cover sur-rounded by said edge portions, said band means having a portion locatedy in said pocket por-tion; paired att-achment members integral with said cover and spaced rearward of said pocket portion, said attachment members being arranged in spaced superposed relationship, at least =a portion of each of said attachment members projecting inwardly from said cover; a fastening member cooperating with said paired attachment members to secure said cover to said band means; and substantially closed loop means surrounding a portron of said band means, at least a portion of said loop means being formed by said members.

4. In a saddle for a bicycle and the like, in combination, a cover of molded material having downwardly depending edge portions and a pocket portion at the forward end of said cover; substantially at rigid band means shaped to match said edge portions of said cover and located in said cover surrounded by said edge portions, said band means having a portion located in said pocket portion; paired attachment members integral with said cover and spaced rearward of said pocket portion, sald attachment members being iarranged in superposed relationship, at least a portion of each of said attachment members projecting inwardly from said cover; a fastening member cooperating with said paired attachment members to secure said cover to said band means; and substantially closed loop means surrounding a portion of said band means, at least a portion of said 'loop means being formed by said members, said attachment members being spaced apart at least the width of said band means. I 5. In a saddle for a bicycle and the like, in combination, a cover of molded material having downwardly depending edge portions `and a pocket portion at the forward end of said cover; substantially at rigid band means shaped to match. said edge portions of said cover and located in said cover surrounded by said edge pOltOIlS, said band means having a portion located in said pocket portion; a reinforcing element arranged adjacent the lower edge of said pocket portion for reinforcement thereof and extending transversely of said saddle; an attaching member integral with said cover and spaced rearward of said pocket portion, at least a portion of said attaching member projecting inwardly from said cover; a fastening member cooperating with said attaching member to secure said cover to said band means; and substantially closed loop means surrounding a portion of said band means, at least a portion of said loop means being formed by one of said members.

6. In a saddle for a bicycle and the like, in combination, a cover of molded material having downwardly depending edge portions and a pocket portion at the forward end of said cover and internal recesses in the rear portion of said cover; substantially flat rigid band means shaped to match said edge portions of said cover and located in said cover surrounded by said edge portions, said band means including a first substantially rigid band element having a portion located in said pocket portion and a second substantially rigid band element secured to said irst band element and located in said recesses in the rear portion of said cover, an attaching member integral with said cover and spaced rearward of said pocket portion, at least a portion of said attaching member projecting inwardly from said cover; a fastening member cooperating with said attaching member to secure said cover to said band means; and substantially closed loop means surrounding a portion of said band means, yat least a portion of said loop means being formed by one of said members.

7. In a saddle for a bicycle and the like, in combination, a substantially rigid frame; a cover of a molded material enveloping said frame; an attaching member integral with the rearward portion of said cover, at least a portion of said attaching member projecting inwardly from said cover, said projecting portion being formed with an opening; lug means Xedly fastened to said frame and arranged in said opening, a portion of said lug means projecting through said opening and being formed with a passage therethrough; and a fastening member arranged from said cover, said projecting portion being formed with an opening; lug means fixedly fastened to said frame and arranged in said opening, a portion of said lug means projecting through said opening and being formed with a passage therethrough; and looped strap means arranged in said passage for limiting movement of said lug means in said opening, whereby said frame is secured to said cover.

9. In a saddle for a bicycl-e and the like, in combination, a cover of molded material having downwardly depending edge portions and a pocket portion at the forward end of said cover and internal recesses in the rear portion of said cover; substantially flat rigid band means shaped to match said edge portions of said cover and located in said cover surrounded by said edge portions, said band means including a first substantially rigid band element having a portion located in said pocket portion and a second substantially rigid band element releasably secured to said rst band element and located in said recesses in the rear portion of said cover; an attaching member integral with said cover and spaced rearward of said pocket portion, at least a portion of said attaching member projecting inwardly from said cover; a fastening member cooperating with said attaching member to secure said cover to said band means; and substantially closed loop means surrounding a portion of said band means, at :least a portion of said loop means being formed by one of said members.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS v1,213,674 Maslen Jan. 23, 1917 1,538,542 Blake May 19, 1925 2,395,346 Schwinn Feb. 19, 1946 2,737,232 Gruber Mar. 6, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 18,185 Great Britain Aug. 12, 1907 414,114 France June 10, 1910 637,074 Great Britain May 10, 1950 827,289 Germany Ian. 10, 1952 1,038,097 France May 6,'1953 1,112,642 France Nov. 13, 1954 1,103,678 France May 25, 1955 

